Just Because

Just a random post with pictures from an evening at Blake's parents house on July 2nd. I'll eventually get the pictures from the 4th up too but this was quick, easy and cute. It was a wonderful evening - perfect weather and a nice visit!

Walking with Grandma.
Even though she can walk alone, she really likes to cruise
with another hand or two 

Hi!!

This almost looks sweet but really she's crushing the flower
and about to destroy it and throw the petals

This girl. LOVES. bubbles. We unleashed the bubble loving best and once you start, good luck stopping!

Watching daddy in the pool.

Our niece, Emily, was doing some flips and jumps into the pool, so I caught some on 'film'.

It was a fun evening with Blake's family. :)

30 Plus 1

Last year my 30th birthday got a little overlooked, and rightly so! I mean... look at that sweet face!

Anyway, so this year my sweet family wanted to make sure I had the family tradition milestone party that we missed last year. It was very thoughtful of them and my dear hubs and aunt put a lot of work into it! In the end it was a little low-key because we decided to cram two other parties into the weekend (my brother and sister-in-law's baby shower and Emerson's party) to make the most of out of town guests. So as the third party of the weekend, we were all a little partied out.. which is why I failed to get pictures of the pre-candled cake or the a-mazing food. My favorite spread: Blake's pulled pork, brisket, baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad and (wait for it) pepper jack mac and cheese. I might even be forgetting something. It was so tasty.

The people who partied on through their second or third parties of the weekend were the troopers, the people who really love me, and I couldn't have asked to spend my 30+1 with anyone else. I went to bed that night feeling so blessed.

The traditional cake-o-fire milestone birthday candle extravaganza.
I love the looks on the kids' faces!

I got some new essential oils, Emerson approves ;)

So many wonderful, thoughtful gifts! 

Party animals.

It was a long day for the kids, and lots of cake. Sweet Lincs made it through!

My tired co-birthday girl. :)

Again, so, so blessed by my friends and family. Such a wonderful way to end my thirtieth year and begin my thirty-first.

First Birthday Party

What a day! We experienced a range of emotions - primarily joy, gratitude and love.. but also a little nostalgia and denial that my baby is turning into a toddler. We tried to keep the party low-key but the list of people that love this girl is long and we were glad that so many of them could come and celebrate with us.

It feels real now, even though she was one for several days before the party. It took having a big party to really let it sink in. We did a little trial run on her actual birthday, in which she wanted almost nothing to do with the cake (which I think turned out better than the cake for her party, but oh well) and tried to feed it to the dog more than eat it herself. Spoiler: she did better for an audience. 

Happy Birthday, dear Emerson! 6/16/14

Fast forward to Saturday (my birthday) when we had her party (before my party.. it was a day of parties)!

Emerson's coconut cake with whipped coconut cream frosting, tinted with beetroot (adapted from here)
Grain, sugar and nut free, but still quite tasty in my opinion :)

Strawberry Cake with whipped cream, cream cheese frosting.
I highly recommend the frosting, light like whipped cream,
but sturdy because of the cream cheese. 

I was excited to find these seed paper flowers, if you plant them, they'll grow 

wildflowers. In hindsight, I wish I'd had the banner say 'Thank you' because each

favor was supposed to have a little tag that said thank you and planting instructions,

but that didn't happen due to technical difficulties. 

Emerson and her friend Lincoln

I'll admit, this looked cooler on Pinterest ;)

trying for a family photo

Some lunch with Grandma

so sweet :)

We started singing...

and then she realized that everyone in the room was singing... for HER!

Pretty stinkin cute :)

trying to get her to blow.. nope!

Then we gave her free reign of the cake. She took her time with it, but in the end, there was a sufficient first birthday mess :).

One hand in

I'm her taster... yes, it's good.

Two hands in

Daddy's the taster

you want a taste?

Here, try some

No really. Try some.

The many cakey faces of Emerson

Sweet Lincoln is thinking.. 

someone, just give me some cake!

Her fan club

Here grandma, you have some!

Here's the video of the whole thing :)

Time for presents. She didn't last too long like this. 

We got so many truly wonderful clothes! 

She'll be such a well-dressed little girl!

Then she had to say 'Hi' to the cute baby in the stove

The coolest train set from Uncle Jared 

(who works for the railroad)

Another all around favorite, the music set.

A quick check in with mom to see this new book.

We love books and were excited to get some new ones!

Some post party playtime with grandpa.

It was a perfect afternoon to celebrate our sweet girl's first year. What a blessing she is to us and what a blessing to share the day with so many people that love her. We had a wonderful time visiting with family and friends and we are left feeling so, so spoiled! 

Thanks to everyone that made the day so special!